Two Exemplary Odia Teachers To Be Honoured With National Awards

Two Exemplary Odia Teachers To Be Honoured With National Awards

Out of the 6 applications sent to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) from Odisha, two teachers have been nominated to receive the National Teachers’ Award  on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on 5th September, 2021 in a virtual event. Ajit Kumar Sethy, HM (i/c), Government UPS, Kanamana, Chatrapur and Ashok Kumar Satpathy, Assistant Teacher, Zilla Government School, Bhadrak and Ganjam have been selected for the National Teachers Award 2021. My City Links caught up with the two educators to understand how they inspire and motivate children to learn. 

Ajit Sethy

Hailing from Dharakot, Nandigarh, Ajit Sethy had been a victim of financial strain and ignorance of education in his family since childhood. Inspired to bring about a change, he took it upon himself to be the change-maker by educating and transforming students so that they grow up into conscious citizens. He struggled with his studies and post his HSC exams he started giving tuitions and coaching to students to fund for his own education. He eventually completed his MA, cleared the CT exam and became a teacher.

On being posted in the Government Upper Primary School at Kanamana under Chatrapur block of Ganjam as a teacher, he was stunned to see the dilapidated condition of the school. There was no toilet facility, no water supply or electricity and no proper classrooms for the students to sit and study. “The condition was very bad. So I took stock of the situation and laid out a plan to improve it. Problems will always be there in all spheres of life. How you find a way out of them is what matters. A school is a mirror of the society and the teachers there are probably the first means to bring about a change. So I took it upon myself and became that. I called up several ex-students of the school who were now well-established and requested help. They gladly agreed and contributed generously,” he said.

The school which was a ramshackle structure with just two classrooms and without any basic amenities, has now transformed into a beautiful site of education. The villagers who were unwilling to send their children to school and the children who did not like going to school, flocked to experience the difference. Now the school boasts of having power connection, three additional classrooms, separate toilets for boys and girls, a nutri-garden and RO drinking water facilities on the campus, all thanks to Ajit Sethy.

From just 50 students in 2017, the students’ enrolment has now gone up to 108. Ajit, who is now the headmaster of the school, had earned laurels from the State government in the past for his unique way of imparting classes by singing to the students. “I believe in joyful learning. I compose songs related to various subjects to keep students interested and increase their grasping capacity. Music connects to the soul and mind easily, and children find it fun to learn this way,” he smiled.

He has also taken keen interest in social service by teaching students of the weaker sections of the society and working towards women’s empowerment. He has also been a music composer and a published author. His service and dedication towards society is paying off well, as a significant change can be seen in the school as well the mindset of the people towards education.

Ashok Satpathy

In a similar yet contradictory situation, Ashok Satpathy was appointed as a science teacher in Zila Government School, Bhadrak, in 2001 and has been here since then. Although there were many school-going children from economically backward sections in the village, not many were willing to go to school. To overcome this hurdle, Ashok reached out to the alumni of the school to help out financially. Inspired by the Mo School Abhiyan, he set forth to bring the desired change that he wanted.

“When I joined the school, it was a mere walled-building with nothing to keep the students hooked on to learning. Education also includes celebrations and observation of special days. This helps the students in learning beyond textbooks. The first job to be accomplished was to gather funds to make the school a happy looking place. Eventually, support started pouring in and we could make more improvements and advance gradually,” he informed with a smile.

The once-dilapidated building with just 50 students is now an abode of learning for more than 650 students from class 6 to 10 which is equipped with a computer lab, water coolers, library and playground. This was a dream come true for Ashok. The beginning of this journey was tricky for him as it was difficult to assure the parents about the importance of education. He went out of his way to meet parents of all the children and requested them to send their children to the school. Eventually, his efforts paid off.

A respectable personality in the village, Ashok is looked-up to for his selfless contribution towards education and upliftment of the society. “I have come a long way and I believe I have a long way to go. My job and responsibility hasn’t come to an end but has just begun. I plan on helping neighbouring schools in procuring scholarships for the meritorious students who can get financial aid. Education secures a good future for the economically weaker sections of the society. Having talent but no means to hone it is a pathetic yet factual reality of under-privelged sections of the society,” he signed off.

Mo School Abhiyan

Mo School Abhiyan is a unique initiative undertaken by the Government of Odisha that aims to create a platform for people to connect, collaborate and contribute to revamping the government and government-aided schools in Odisha. Commenced on 14th November, 2017, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had appealed to everyone to come forward and adopt a school. This initiative has been successfully running in the entire State. 

The struggles of both the dedicated teachers, Ajit Sethy and Ashok Satpathy have been exemplary in making education appealing for the rural students. This selfless effort is going to go a long way and pave a way for the future generations as well. It has indeed created a new lease of life for the underprivileged students and their families. To encourage and motivate them for this service, the Ministry of Education has chosen both the teachers for the National Teachers Award 2021.